2016 Volkswagen Amarok 3.0-litre V6 first drive

What is it?

It has been a busy 18 months for the commercial arm of Volkswagen, with its Caddy and Transporter both getting a mid-life refresh and a new Crafter due next year. The fourth vehicle to get a light going over is its Amarok pick-up.

The Volkswagen Amarok has been on our roads since 2011, having originally been designed for the South American market and built in Argentina. However, the German manufacturer saw some mileage in having a pick-up in its European line-up and duly brought it over. Since then, 14,800 Volkswagen Amaroks have been sold in the UK, with Volkswagen hoping this facelifted model will bolster its position in a congested segment.

Not only does the latest Amarok have to keep at bay the new and improved Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, but also newer rivals – including the Fiat Fullback and the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz X-Class.

The new Amarok looks largely the same as the original, with its underpinnings remaining unaltered. Exterior changes have been limited to a redesigned front bumper, front grille and alloy wheels, while inside there is a new dashboard and an improved infotainment system complete with Bluetooth and DAB radio as standard.

The highlight, however, is the new 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, which replaces the outgoing 2.0-litre oil-burner. Two outputs are currently available at launch – 201bhp and 220bhp, both driven through an eight-speed automatic gearbox – while a 160bhp version will join the range in 2017, as will a six-speed manual for the lower-powered models.

Despite the larger capacity, there is no penalty to pay on the fuel economy and CO2 fronts, as Volkswagen has gone to great lengths to ensure it matches the outgoing 2.0-litre unit’s output.

As for trims, they remain very much the same, with three core levels – Startline, Trendline and Highline - while various special-edition models will be released throughout its lifecycle. Here we are testing the limited-edition Aventura Amarok with the most powerful diesel engine.

What's it like?

VW's 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine is a peach and makes those memories of a clattery diesel dominating the cabin a thing of the past. Don’t be mistaken into thinking it is as refined as it would be in a passenger car, as a distinctive undertone is always audible but never onerous.

As for its performance, its low-down grunt and peak power make this one swift pick-up, with the muscular V6 delivering its power in a linear, smooth fashion. An overboost function allows a further 19bhp to be made available, making swift manoeuvres such as overtaking effortless.

The eight-speed automatic does a good job of flicking between ratios in order to keep engine noise to a minimum, while remaining responsive when you dab the throttle. It's not perfect, jerking through the first couple of ratios on large throttle openings from a standstill, but ultimately it does get the best out of this V6.

The steering is light and direct, which makes negotiating tight corners and streets simple enough, while mild bodyroll is kept well in check. The ride is reasonably good considering the rear is mounted on leaf springs, but not comparable to the multi-link suspension used on the Navara NP300.

Over uneven asphalt, unladen, the Amarok's rear axle struggles to settle, but never to the extent that it becomes alarming. Viewed next to its rivals, it does well to soak up most of the smaller ruts that plague UK roads, but larger potholes can cause sudden, sharp vibrations to shudder through the cabin.